Ileana Once Thought of Committing Suicide!

Hindi and Telugu actress Ileana D’Cruz revealed that she once thought of committing suicide due to depression and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. However, she had overcome the illness and started feeling better.

Speaking at the 21st World Congress of Mental Health in New Delhi on Sunday, November 5, Ileana told Organising Chairman Sunil Mittal on her fight with depression and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Ileana was awarded the Woman of Substance Award for her efforts towards raising awareness about mental health at the event. The World Congress was organised by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), a global alliance of doctors, health associations, NGOs, policy experts and other institutions.

She said she was always a very self-conscious person and used to feel low and sad all the time but didn’t know that she was suffering from depression and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

“At one point, I even had suicidal thoughts and wanted to end things. However, all of it changed when I accepted myself and what I was going through. I think that is the first step towards fighting depression,” she revealed.

Ileana, who shot to fame with Telugu film ‘Pokiri’ and Hindi films ‘Barfi!’ and ‘Rustom’ joins another Bollywood fame Deepika Padukone who had revealed openly about her fight to overcome depression a year ago. Ileana reiterated that people shouldn’t shy away from seeking help for depression.

“It is a chemical imbalance in your brain, and needs to be treated. Don’t sit back and think it will get okay but go get help. Like you have a sprain and go get yourself checked, if you have depression, seek help,” she said.

Ileana said her mother was her biggest pillar of strength throughout the period of depression. Speaking about her fans, “You may look at us actors and think that ‘Oh my God, they are so pretty, so perfect’. But that’s not how it is. It takes two hours to get ready and look like this. Love yourself for who you are and trust me if you are happy from within, you are the most beautiful person and your smile is your best asset.”

She said she wanted to open up about her depression to help those who can overcome similar problem looking at her as inspiration.